THE NEWSCASTER
THE NEWSCASTER
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Deborah Russell - Editor/Publisher
Wednesday April 13, 2011
Inglis, FL 34449
Tom Russell - Consulting Editor
A Publication of
Sally Price - Correspondent
Visit our website: www.thenewscaster.com
Permit No. 14
Newscaster Publishing
Mike Moore - Photojournalist
Squawk Box
First Squabble
At First Meeting
By Tom Russell
Newscaster Editor
Two new Inglis commissioners
and the mayor took the oath of office last
Friday and it wasn’t long before the first
disagreement surfaced. The first order of
business is for the commission to agree on
liaison appointments for various town de-
partments.
The president of the commission
went to commissioner Richard Kellman
on a 3-2 vote, Drinda Merritt requested
that she be given the president of the com-
mission but was selected as vice presi-
dent 5-0. Tom Brennan was agreed on
as commissioner of budget and finance.
Maintenance, roads and bridges went to
Commissioner Sherry Ely. Commissioner
Sally Price nominated herself as liaison to
the police/fire departments and proceeded
to give her qualifications. She said 20 plus
years as a certified volunteer fire fighter
and first responder with Inglis and Yan-
keetown were just a few of her qualifica-
tions.
Commissioner Drinda Merritt
Manatee Entangled in a Crab Trap - Local citizens in Homosassa, noticed a manatee struggling and learned it had become entangled in
also put her name in the ring for police/
a crab trap. They immediately called the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline. Pictured: from left to right Ivan Vicente- FWS, Boyd Blihovde- FWS, Mike
fire liaison and brought up Price’s public
Dunn- Volunteer, FWS Officer Ryan Maier, not shown Bob Quarles, FWS. Photo courtesy of USFWS. Read full story on page 2.
Crystal River man dies after morning
forum statement regarding dissolution
Deputies
of the Police Department. Merritt said
that her position on dissolving (the po-
car crash at CR488 & US19
Investigating
lice dept.) was a conflict of interest. Price
countered by saying she was the first one
to answer the question and was put on the
deputy that the other vehicle, a 1995 Chrys-
A traffic crash in Citrus County
Gunshot Death
spot and not given a chance to thoroughly
ler LHS driven by Mr. Sparks, ran the red
that was reported at 9:05 a.m. on Sat., April
flashing light and pulled out in front of her.
2, took the life of a Crystal River man, Ar-
Continued on page 4 - Squawk Box
on C.R. 337
She said she hit the brakes and her car slid
nold V. Sparks, 87. According to the investi-
Custom
into the driver’s side of Mr. Sparks’ car. The
gating deputy, the crash produced moderate
Neon rotated counter-clockwise and left 62
to heavy damage and injury.
From the Levy Co. Seriff Dept.
feet of skid marks prior to the impact. After
The accident took place, north of
Wood Products
the impact, it traveled another 24 feet before
Crystal River, at the intersection of U.S.
On Thursday April 7, 2011 a De-
coming to rest in the median, facing south.
Hwy. 19 and W. Dunnellon Rd. (C.R. 488)
partment of Agriculture Law Enforcement
Home - Industry - Marine
The report stated that it is not
The intersection is controlled by a flashing
Officer stopped a vehicle in Goethe Forest
known if Sparks had stopped at the stop bar,
light. The light flashes red to west and west
on Old Rock Road. Upon stopping the Maz-
Your plans or ours
or if he ran the stop sign and red flashing
traffic on W. Dunnellon Rd., and there’s a
da truck he made contact with the driver of
light, but his Chrysler entered the intersec-
stop sign there, as well. The light flashes
the vehicle and obtained his drivers license.
tion, and it appears that he was attempting
yellow to north and southbound traffic on
When the Police Officer walked
50 years experience
to turn south (left) onto U.S. Hwy. 19. The
U.S. Hwy. 19. Dunnellon Rd. does not con-
back to his patrol vehicle to check to see if
Chrysler was struck by the Neon on the driv-
tinue west of Hwy. 19 because the land on
the driver had any warrants the driver sped
er’s side, in the inside, north lane.
the west side of the road is private property,
off and a pursuit ensued. During the pursuit
Wood Products Division
Arrangements were made for Mr.
according to the crash investigator.
the driver which was the only person in the
Sparks to be transported to Shand’s Hospital
According to the crash report, a
vehicle swerved off the road and was ob-
Enviro Group of Florida, Inc.
in Gainesville by Bayflight. While he was in
1999 Dodge Neon driven by Nicole A. Kuz-
served reaching for what the Officer thought
the ambulance, it was necessary to insert a
iak, 43, of Edinboro, PA was traveling north
may be a weapon.
352-586-9598
on Hwy. 19 in the inside lane. She told the
Continued on page 8 - Crash
Continuted on page 3- Fatal Investigation